The Stevie® Awards are delighted to announce the five distinguished professionals who chaired the judging committees of the 2025 (6th annual) Middle East & North Africa Stevie® Awards competition.

The 2025 Middle East & North Africa Stevie® Awards, sponsored by the Ras Al Khaimah Chamber of Commerce & Industry, are an international business awards competition that are open to all organizations in 18 nations in the Middle East and North Africa.  The focus of the awards is on recognizing innovation in all its forms.  

This year more than 1,000 nominations were considered in the judging process by more than 150 professionals, whose average ratings determined the Gold, Silver, and Bronze Stevie Award winners who will be announced in in January. 

Stevie winners will be presented their awards at a gala banquet at the Waldorf Astoria in Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates on Saturday, 22 February.

The five committee chairs were invited to chair based on their professional experience and expertise. Judging chairs helped to form their committees, each of which is comprised of other professionals from around the globe. Learn more about the Stevie Awards judging process here. 

Meet this year's judging committee chairs:

Corporate Communications/Public Relations & Publications Awards Judging Committee

Chair: Murat Avalin, Founder of CANVAS Strategy & Creativity, Istanbul, Türkiye

Murat Avalin is the founder of CANVAS Strategy & Creativity. He has over 25 years of experience in public relations and marketing strategies. He managed the communication strategies of leading companies and global brands in different sectors. 

His areas of expertise are public relations, strategic marketing, media relations, crisis management, leadership communications and digital communications. After graduating from Bosphorus University Physics and Philosophy departments, he completed the Strategic Marketing Program of Cornell University Johnson Graduate School, New York.

Human Resources & Individual Awards Judging Committee

Chair: Mayada Maged, Managing Partner of Staff Arabia HR Outsourcing /Group, Giza, Egypt

 

 

Mayada Maged, Managing Partner for Staff Arabia, is a leading HR Outsourcing Global Service Provider acting as a one-stop shop partner for Clients in all HR, staffing, payroll & personnel compliance outsourcing on 18+ countries. With more than 20 years of experience in the HR field and outsourcing industry, Mayada establishes and develops Human Resource teams and infrastructure for global companies such as Vodafone, Amazon, Concentrix, McDonald’s & Technip Italy & others to effectively support rapid business growth & her passion is always towards people development as the main asset of any organization & not only Business but also Social Corporate responsibility. With a career spanning two decades, she is at the forefront of modern HR practices, Bringing fresh ideas to the MENA outsourcing Market!

Mayada is Six Sigma and Balance Score card Certified, and a certified Entrepreneur by the American University in Cairo (AUC). She also holds a PGD in Global Management from Eslsca Business School Paris, and an HR Diploma from AUC, and she is currently obtaining her MBA Degree in Global Management. She always raises women empowerment & sustainability models all over the global activities, Performance Management, employee recognition & Business Management as well as strategic HR practices, and she is currently dedicated to scaling up the organization to Unicorn, practicing human resources in a variety of industries as well as volunteering on charitable activities, women empowerment communities, and with big achievements in Social Corporate responsibilities.

Management, Customer Service & Thought Leadership Awards Judging Committee

 

Chair: Dr. Feda Shahin, CEO, FIDELITY4ALL, Bournemouth, Dover, United Kingdom, and Dubai, United Arab Emirates

 

 

Feda Shahin is the founder and CEO of Fidelity4All, a consulting firm known for driving impactful, sustainable change. She previously co-founded Knowledge Horizon Ltd, growing it from a startup to a multi-million-dollar business with global reach.

With a bachelor’s degree in business administration and economics, an MBA in Finance, and advanced research in International Finance at Warwick Business School, Feda has expertise in leadership, organizational development, corporate social responsibility, and excellence frameworks. She is an EFQM consultant and assessor for international awards. As an education consultant, Feda has worked with organizations like Cambridge International Examinations to design leadership programs and curricula. She has also tutored and supervised research at top universities. Feda has played an active role in Corporate Social Responsibility and entrepreneurship, supporting initiatives across the Middle East and globally. developed Cisco Entrepreneur Institute and has mentored women in technology through the TechWomen program, an initiative under Hillary Clinton’s leadership.

Bilingual in English and Arabic, Feda is recognized for her ability to combine academic knowledge with practical consulting experience to drive organizational excellence.  Her journey serves as an inspiration to women worldwide, proving that determination and resilience can break barriers and lead to success.

 

 

Marketing, Media (Apps/Events/Video/Websites) & Social Media Awards Judging Committee

 

Chair: Hitesh Bhogal, Marketing Leader for Nexus Insurance Brokers LLC, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

 

 

Hitesh Bhogal is a seasoned marketing leader with over a decade of experience crafting strategies that drive growth through innovation, creativity, and precision. Currently heading marketing efforts at Nexus Insurance Brokers LLC, Hitesh excels in leveraging omnichannel approaches to create impactful campaigns, build brand equity, and drive customer engagement.

"Innovation paired with strategic creativity and precise execution unlocks unparalleled growth" is the philosophy that guides Hitesh’s professional journey. His expertise spans branding, strategic communications, content marketing, online sales, digital transformation, and customer lifecycle management. With a proven ability to integrate cutting-edge technologies and adapt to evolving trends, he designs seamless user experiences that connect brands with their audiences effectively. During his tenure at SALAMA, Hitesh played a pivotal role in launching high-performing campaigns, including the award-winning "Kind Beings of Dubai" initiative. His contributions helped SALAMA secure multiple accolades, including being named “Takaful Operator of the Year.” These achievements reflect Hitesh’s talent for combining strategic insights with creative execution, ensuring that campaigns meet and exceed business objectives.

Hitesh’s ability to simplify complex solutions is one of his standout strengths. In a world increasingly driven by digitalization, he collaborates with business teams to develop frameworks that prioritize clarity, impact, and efficiency. Whether through search and voice marketing, social media strategies, or e-commerce optimization, Hitesh’s integrated marketing expertise ensures success across platforms.  Academically, Hitesh holds a Master’s in Global Business with a specialization in Marketing Management from SP Jain School of Global Management and a B.Tech in Computer Science from Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies. This blend of technical knowledge and strategic insight positions him uniquely to address the demands of modern marketing.  As a mentor and industry advocate, Hitesh is deeply committed to fostering the next generation of marketing professionals. He believes in the power of collaboration and innovation to unlock new opportunities and consistently encourages teams to think outside the box to deliver exceptional results. Hitesh’s leadership and vision inspire innovation, foster collaboration, and celebrate the creative spirit that defines the marketing industry. His role in the Stevie Awards reflects his belief in the power of exceptional storytelling to connect, influence, and leave a lasting legacy.

 

New Product, Technology, and Sustainability Awards Judging Committee

 

Chair: Engr. Lana El-Tawil Ramdurai, Senior Specialist & Project Manager, Royal Scientific Society, Amman, Jordan

 

Eng. Lana El-Tawil, the Founder of Oswah Hasaneh Association and a Senior Specialist at the Royal Scientific Society, has a remarkable track record. She has served as the Head of the Project Management Division at the Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Supply and is based in Amman City, Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.  An expert in digital transformation and project management, Lana is a true local talent. She has extensive expertise in project management and sustainable development. With fervent dedication, she spearheads numerous projects addressing climate change and offers invaluable support to women and youth through both national and international initiatives. Her contributions extend to conducting workshops that have garnered international recognition and accolades. She is a skilled engineer with more than 11 years of experience in strategy, operations, as well as managing the commercial part of different business sectors. Holding a Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering and a Master's degree in E-Government, she embodies the fusion of knowledge and dedication that drives positive change.

Lana has held responsibility for overseeing the implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of over 30 national and international projects and programs. She demonstrated the ability to engage across diverse areas of support, orchestrating a myriad of activities geared towards enhancing the capabilities of SMEs and start-ups. Her efforts primarily aimed at empowering them to explore new markets and achieve broader reach, aligning with the core objectives of the projects, including policy-level initiatives. She has received recognition on both the national and international stage and has secured more than seven awards across various sectors, with a strong focus on innovation and pioneering new systems within the realm of renewable energy. She was distinguished as one of the "365 Inspiring Arabic Empowering Women" by @wibarabia. As a representative of Jordan youth for tech and innovation initiative at Future Hub UAE, she has significantly contributed to this dynamic field and received the distinguished honor of being the best employee at MITS.  Furthermore, she serves as the national focal point for a multitude of pivotal national projects, including the Investor Journey Project, the Simplifying Registration and Licensing Procedures for Economic Activities Project, the Job Creation for Youth and Women Project, the JOSME Project (Enhancement of Jordanian SMEs Inclusiveness, Competitiveness, and Sustainable Innovation), T4E (Trade for Employment), Employment-Oriented MSME Promotion Project, Economic Reform Activity (ERA), Home Based Businesses Project (HBBs), Corporate Entrepreneurship Responsibility Alliance (CERA), SWITCH MED Project, and the Building Resilience through Circularity: Green Innovations in Host Communities (BR َCkA) project.

Lana has been a dedicated member of the King Abdullah II Award for Excellence in Government for over five years, leading the Digital Transformation Committee. As the Founder of the Oswah Hasanah Charity Society and Just Green Co., she has shown her commitment to meaningful societal contributions. These experiences and accomplishments have propelled her to an elevated level of understanding in the realm of business development.

 

The region’s only awards to recognize innovation in all its forms in the workplace in 18 nations is now accepting nominations through December 4

By popular demand, the Stevie Awards have announced a final entry deadline extension for the fifth annual Middle East & North Africa Stevie® Awards sponsored by the Ras Al Khaimah Chamber of Commerce. Entries will now be accepted through Wednesday, December 4 (the original final entry deadline was November 6.) Details are available at http://MENA.StevieAwards.com.

The Middle East & North Africa Stevie Awards are the region’s only awards to recognize innovation in all its forms throughout the workplace. The awards are open to all organizations in 18 nations in the MENA region: Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates and Yemen.

All individuals organizations may submit any number of nominations to any number of award categories.

There are no entry fees in this awards program. Organizations may submit as many nominations as they would like, without cost. Instead, Gold, Silver, & Bronze Stevie Award winners will pay a “winners fee” for each successful nomination.

Winners of Gold, Silver, and Bronze Stevie Awards in the competition will be announced on January 16, 2025, and celebrated during a gala event in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel on February 22.

The 2025 competition features new categories such as the Sustainability Categories which recognizes the recent achievements of individuals, teams, and entire organizations to plan, approach, and achieve organizational, industry, or national sustainability goals.

Other new categories include Most Innovative Finance Executive of the Year, Most Innovative Operations Manager of the Year, Most Innovative Product Manager of the Year, Most Innovative Sales Executive of the Year, Most Innovative Sustainability Leader of the Year, Most Innovative Technology Leader of the Year (added to the Individual Professional Awards Categories), Award for Innovation in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML), Award for Innovation in Virtual and Augmented Reality (VR/AR), Award for Innovation in Education Technology (EdTech), and Most Innovative Technology Team of the Year.

Nominations citing innovative achievements will be accepted and judged in both Arabic and English, in more than 100 categories across the following category groups:

• Apps & Websites
• Achievements
• Annual Reports & Other Publications
• Company/Organization
• Corporate Communications & Public Relations
• Customer Service
• Human Resources
• Individual Professionals
• Live & Virtual Events
• Management
• Marketing
• New Products & Services
• Social Media
• Sustainability
• Technology
• Videos
• Thought Leadership

Winners of the 2024 edition with multiple Gold, Silver, and Bronze Stevie Awards include Abu Dhabi Sports Council, UAE; Acceligize, UAE; AXS - TECOM Group, UAE; Beyaz Kağıt San. ve Tic. A.Ş., Turkey; Big Data Minds MENA, Jordan; DHL Express, multiple locations across the region; Dhafra Region Municipality, UAE; General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs, UAE; Glimpse, UAE; KAFALAH, Saudi Arabia; Megamind IT Solutions, Saudi Arabia; Miral Destinations, UAE; Ooredoo Group, multiple locations across the region; Petromin Express, Saudi Arabia; Qatar Vision Production Company; QNB Finansbank, Turkey; RAK Ceramics, UAE; RAK Police, UAE; Royal Commission for Jubail & Yanbu, Saudi Arabia; Saudi Aramco, Saudi Arabia; SOCAR Türkiye; STC, Saudi Arabia; The Captain Agency, Turkey; Ministry of Justice, UAE; The Others Brand Experience Agency, Turkey; Vaki Bank, Turkey; Visiontech Systems International LLC, UAE, and ZIGMA8 | 360º CREATIVE COMMUNICATIONS, Iran, among others.

The 2025 competition will be judged by more than 150 professionals around the world. 

Interested in submitting nominations before the

December 4 final deadline?

 

Founded in 2018, Stevie-winner Megamind IT Solutions is dedicated to driving digital transformation within the healthcare sector. Their mission focuses on harnessing the power of digital technologies to enhance patient care, improve operational efficiencies, and foster meaningful engagement between healthcare providers and patients.

Strategic Differentiation Through Digital Technology
One of Megamind's core objectives is to utilize digital technology for strategic differentiation in healthcare interactions. By improving doctor-nurse-patient engagement through innovative solutions, Megamind has successfully streamlined patient health interactions.

This focus not only enhances the quality of care but also results in significant time and cost efficiencies in medical and therapy management. With a small, dedicated team, they built an in-house Health Information System that serves as the foundation for their growth in the healthcare IT space.

Proprietary Health Assets and AI Integration
Another critical aspect of Megamind's approach is the development of proprietary health assets using AI, data analytics, and software solutions. By integrating AI into their systems, Megamind empowers healthcare providers to make informed decisions more rapidly and accurately.

Megamind also emphasizes the importance of enhancing the capabilities of healthcare staff through better technology integration. By training doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and other healthcare executives, Megamind ensures that these professionals are equipped to leverage technology effectively across various healthcare functions. This investment in workforce development is crucial for adapting to the rapidly changing landscape of the healthcare industry.

A Growing Presence in the Middle East
Since its inception, Megamind has expanded its operations significantly, establishing a software development company in Manila and undertaking numerous IT infrastructure and enterprise software projects across Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. To date, Megamind has successfully completed hundreds of IT projects, supporting hospitals with over 6,000 beds.

Megamind’s contributions to healthcare have profound implications. Their digital transformations enable quicker access to care, enhance the quality of services, and reduce costs. With features like chatbots for patient self-service, advanced diagnostics, and improved electronic health records, Megamind empowers both patients and healthcare managers to connect efficiently.

Megamind IT Solutions won a Gold Stevie^® and three Silver Stevie Awards in the 2024 Middle East & North Africa Stevie Awards.

Interested in entering for 2025?

Every organization has achievements worth celebrating, but turning those accomplishments into an award-winning Stevie® Awards nomination can be a challenge. Whether you’re looking to highlight your company’s innovation, leadership, or team success, it’s essential to tell your story in a way that resonates with the judges. Many organizations have what it takes to win, but struggle with the finer details of crafting a compelling narrative.

On 17 October 2024 at 2:00 PM (GMT +3) / 7:00 AM (EST), we will host a free webinar, "Secrets to Success: How to Create Impactful MENA Stevie Awards Nominations." This webinar is designed to help you overcome those challenges and boost your chances of success in one of the most prestigious business award programs in the region.

During the webinar, you’ll hear from the Stevie Awards Founder & Executive Chairman, Michael Gallagher, and two business awards consultants who will share proven strategies for winning. You’ll learn about the behind-the-scenes judging process and get tips on how to craft a standout submission, including how to ensure the judges see the full value of your work. You'll also gain insight into the Gold, Silver, Bronze, and Grand Stevie distinctions and what sets each apart.
Whether you’re an experienced entrant or considering entering for the first time, this webinar will walk you through every step of the process, from creating an entry account to finally submitting your nominations.

Now in its 6th year, the Middle East & North Africa Stevie Awards honor innovation across 18 nations in categories ranging from Company and Organization Awards to New Product Awards. With more than 150 categories available, this webinar will give you the tools and insights to select the right categories, organize your entries, and present your achievements in the best light.

At the end of the webinar, audience questions will be answered during a live Q&A. Attendees will have access to the webinar replay (on-demand) and presentations through the end of 2024.

Don't miss this chance to get free expert advice on how to put your best foot forward!

 

Stevie-winner Chum is a Dubai-based price comparison app designed to help users save money and time by allowing them to compare prices across various stores for products ranging from groceries to tech gadgets.

By aggregating data from major retailers, Chum helps users find the best deals without the need to visit multiple websites. The app is particularly helpful for frequent purchases, like groceries, where it shows price comparisons across supermarkets, allowing users to select the cheapest options.

Additionally, Chum extends its service to travel bookings, offering comparisons for flights, hotels, and car rentals, making it a versatile tool for budget-conscious consumers. Its user-friendly interface enables shoppers to quickly identify price drops, with some products seeing discounts as high as 60% to 70% from retailers like Carrefour, Amazon, and Noon.

Chum also offers valuable features tailored to enhance user experience beyond simple price comparison. For instance, the app allows users to set price alerts for specific products, so they are notified when prices drop, making it easier to snag the best deals.

The ability to create and save wish lists ensures that users can revisit and purchase desired items at their convenience, without having to search for them again. Chum also provides cart comparison across supermarkets, helping users ensure they are getting the best deals on their grocery orders from various retailers.

What sets Chum apart from its competitors is the integration of multiple verticals, combining various categories like electronics, groceries, fashion, and even travel services (flights and hotels) within a single platform.

The app stands out in the UAE market as it utilizes AI-driven tools to compare millions of products, which gives it a significant edge in ensuring accurate and up-to-date price listings. This comprehensive approach, combined with user-friendly features like deal alerts and cart comparisons, offers customers a one-stop solution for efficient and budget-conscious shopping. 

Since winning a Stevie, they are now launching a Cashback feature, which will help customers get cashback on Chum for any shopping they do. This fuels their vision of being the first touchpoint in the region—no matter where a customer shops from, they want them to first come to Chum to see the best prices and deals and initiate cashback before buying the product they want from the respective stores.

Chum won two Gold Stevie Awards for Most Innovative Startup of the Year - Consumer Service Industries, and the Award for Innovation in Shopping or E-commerce Apps in the 2024 Middle East & North Africa Stevie^® Awards.

Interesting in entering for 2025?

Stevie-winner Melodica Music Academy is a prominent educational institution in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) that specializes in providing high-quality music education for students of all ages and skill levels.

The academy offers a diverse range of music programs, including instrumental lessons, vocal training, and music theory, delivered by dedicated and experienced instructors. 

Over the past two years, Melodica Music Academy has undergone significant growth and expansion. Initially starting with a few branches in Dubai, the academy has increased its presence by opening additional locations in Abu Dhabi and Sharjah, now totaling 25 branches.

Increase in Student Enrolment
Melodica Music Academy's growth is reflected in its notable increase in student enrolment. Starting with 10,000 students, the academy’s programs and skilled instructors have attracted a diverse range of learners across various age groups and skill levels. The rise in enrolment from 10,000 to over 50,000 indicates a heightened interest in music education and a recognition of the academy's teaching methodologies and curriculum.

Diverse and Dedicated Workforce
In tandem with its student growth, Melodica Music Academy expanded its workforce to maintain effective instruction. The academy employs over 300 teachers to ensure a favorable teacher-to-student ratio, facilitating personalized learning experiences.

Additionally, the administrative and support staff has grown to more than 1,200 employees. This diverse workforce plays a crucial role in delivering a comprehensive educational experience.

The growth of Melodica Music Academy extends beyond enrollment and staffing; it has also influenced the cultural landscape of the UAE. With an expanded capacity, the academy has been able to organize numerous events, concerts, and performances, showcasing the talents of its students. These activities contribute to the cultural experiences available to the community and foster a greater appreciation for the performing arts in the UAE.

Melodica Music Academy won a Silver Stevie Award for Innovative Achievement in Growth in the 2024 Middle East & North Africa Stevie® Awards.

Interested in entering the 2025 program?

The Stevie® Awards, organizer of the world’s premier business awards programs, has issued a call for entries for the 2025 (sixth annual) Middle East & North Africa Stevie® Awards, sponsored by the RAK Chamber of Commerce & Industry. Entry kits and complete details on the competition are available at http://MENA.StevieAwards.com.

 

The Middle East & North Africa Stevie Awards are the region’s only awards program to recognize innovation in the workplace in all its forms. The awards are open to all organizations within 18 nations in the MENA region: Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen.

All individuals and organizations - public and private, for-profit and non-profit, large and small - may submit any number of nominations to any number of the categories.

There are no entry fees in this awards program. Organizations may submit as many nominations as they would like, without cost. Instead, Gold, Silver, and Bronze Stevie Award winners will pay a “winners fee” for each successful nomination.

Nominations may be submitted online through two entry deadlines. Winning nominations submitted through the first deadline, October 2, will have reduced winners’ fees. November 6 is the second and final entry deadline.

Winners of the Gold, Silver, and Bronze Stevie Awards in the competition will be announced on January 16, 2025, and celebrated during a gala event at the Waldorf Astoria in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE, on February 22.

New for the 2025 competition, the Sustainability Categories recognize the recent achievements of individuals, teams, and entire organizations to plan, approach, and achieve organizational, industry, or national sustainability goals.

Other new categories include Most Innovative Finance Executive of the Year, Most Innovative Operations Manager of the Year, Most Innovative Product Manager of the Year, Most Innovative Sales Executive of the Year, Most Innovative Sustainability Leader of the Year, Most Innovative Technology Leader of the Year (added to the Individual Professional Awards Categories), Award for Innovation in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML), Award for Innovation in Virtual and Augmented Reality (VR/AR), Award for Innovation in Education Technology (EdTech), and Most Innovative Technology Team of the Year.

Nominations citing innovative achievements will be accepted and judged in both Arabic and English, in more than 100 categories across the following category groups:

• Apps & Websites
• Achievements
• Annual Reports & Other Publications
• Company/Organization
• Corporate Communications & Public Relations
• Customer Service
• Human Resources
• Individual Professionals
• Live & Virtual Events
• Management
• Marketing
• New Products & Services
• Social Media
• Sustainability
• Technology
• Videos
• Thought Leadership

Winners of the 2024 edition with multiple Gold, Silver, and Bronze Stevie Awards include Abu Dhabi Sports Council, UAE; Acceligize, UAE; AXS - TECOM Group, UAE; Beyaz Kağıt San. ve Tic. A.Ş., Turkey; Big Data Minds MENA, Jordan; DHL Express, multiple locations across the region; Dhafra Region Municipality, UAE; General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs, UAE; Glimpse, UAE; KAFALAH, Saudi Arabia; Megamind IT Solutions, Saudi Arabia; Miral Destinations, UAE; Ooredoo Group, multiple locations across the region; Petromin Express, Saudi Arabia; Qatar Vision Production Company; QNB Finansbank, Turkey; RAK Ceramics, UAE; RAK Police, UAE; Royal Commission for Jubail & Yanbu, Saudi Arabia; Saudi Aramco, Saudi Arabia; SOCAR Türkiye; STC, Saudi Arabia; The Captain Agency, Turkey; Ministry of Justice, UAE; The Others Brand Experience Agency, Turkey; Vaki Bank, Turkey; Visiontech Systems International LLC, UAE, and ZIGMA8 | 360º CREATIVE COMMUNICATIONS, Iran, among others.

The 2025 competition will be judged by more than 100 professionals around the world. Those who wish to apply to participate on one of the juries may do so at https://mena.stevieawards.com/sa-judge/register.

On Saturday, March 2, winners of the 5th annual Middle East & North Africa Stevie® Awards were presented with Gold, Silver, and Bronze Stevie Awards during a majestic ceremony at the Mövenpick Resort Al Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates. More than 300 guests from 68 winning organizations around the MENA region attended the ceremony.

The Middle East & North Africa Stevie Awards, sponsored by the Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) Chamber of Commerce, is the region's only awards program open to all organizations in 18 nations in the Middle East and North Africa. The focus of the awards is recognizing workplace innovation in all its forms.

This year, over 1000 nominations were considered in the judging process by more than 150 professionals. The average ratings from judges determined the Gold, Silver, and Bronze Stevie Award winners, who were first announced in January

The ceremony began with a special welcome to honor His Highness Prince Saud bin Abdulaziz bin Farhan Al Saud, Chairman of the Board of the Autism Families Association in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The Association won a Gold Stevie Award for Innovation in Non-Profit/NGO Events for its creative project "Spectrum Brush."

His Highness Prince Saud bin Abdulaziz bin Farhan Al Saud noted that this award and recognition are the result of a systematic work strategy aimed at making a difference in the lives of thousands of individuals with autism spectrum disorders in the Kingdom. He emphasized that the "Spectrum Brush" project has the potential to create significant societal awareness about the levels of creativity and talent possessed by individuals with autism. The award represents a new achievement in their journey toward empowerment and advancement in the autism sector in the Kingdom, he said.

Hamid Mohammed bin Salem, Secretary-General of the Emirates Chamber of Commerce, congratulated the Stevie Award winners, praising their hard work and efforts. He noted that, with the wise leadership's support, the RAK Chamber of Commerce's sponsorship of the award program's previous editions played a significant role in motivating the successes achieved by nominees in the program.

Mohamed Musabbeh Al Nuaimi, Chairman of the Board of the RAK Chamber of Commerce, reiterated that the awards program encourages institutions to adopt social responsibility, promote a culture of excellence and innovation, and encourage competitiveness. He emphasized the Chamber's keenness to embrace such awards that focus on global innovations and accomplishments.

Youssef Ismail, First Deputy Chairman of the RAK Chamber of Commerce, welcomed the winners in his address, commending their efforts and creativity that qualified them for the award. He encouraged all government and private institutions to seize the opportunity to enter upcoming editions of the awards program to demonstrate innovations across the country.

Grand Stevie Award Winners in the 2024 Middle East & North Africa Stevie Awards 

In addition to honoring Gold, Silver, and Bronze Stevie Award winners, three Grand Stevie Award winners were presented with Grand Stevie Award trophies at the March 2 ceremony. Two winners of these Grand (“best in show”) Stevie Award trophies, DHL Group and INFLOW Network, were announced in February. DHL Group received the most award points from the most nations (total number of points conferred by total Gold, Silver, and Bronze Stevie wins across the world) and INFLOW Network had the highest-scoring nomination.

A third winner, the Premier Grand Stevie Award winner with the highest number of award points in the competition, Saudi Aramco, was revealed at the March 2 awards ceremony. 

The Grand Stevie Awards cannot be applied for directly. Details about each of the three Grand Stevie Award winners can be found below:

ORGANIZATION OF THE YEAR (MULTINATIONAL): DHL Group earned 45 award points on behalf of its operations in Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. They won 10 Gold, three Silver, and six Bronze Stevie Awards in categories including Customer Service Department of the Year, Achievement in Customer Satisfaction, Achievement in Growth, Conferences & Meetings - Healthcare & Wellness Event, and Best Business Technology Pivot, among others. DHL Express is a division of the German logistics company DHL Group, providing international express mail services. DHL Global Forwarding is a division of DHL Group that provides freight forwarding and supply chain solutions to businesses worldwide.

HIGHEST-RATED NOMINATION OF THE YEAR: The entry “UEFA Champions League Final Istanbul 2023 - Football on the Bosphorus,” submitted by the INFLOW Network, USA, received the highest average score from Stevie Awards judges (9.14 out of 10) in this year’s competition. The nomination won the Gold Stevie for Most Innovative Advertising or Marketing Agency of the Year. INFLOW Network is a global company specializing in influencer marketing, digital advertising, social media management, digital strategy, and content, working with different nations worldwide including the Middle East. INFLOW Network focuses on influencer collaborations to help brands reach their target audiences. It also helps brands manage their digital assets and create social media campaigns to reach their target audiences effectively.

THE PREMIER GRAND STEVIE AWARD WINNER, SAUDI ARAMCO was revealed at the March 2 awards gala. Saudi Aramco received the highest number of awards points in the 2024 competition, with a total of 192.86 awards points received from a combined 25 Stevie Award-winning nominations in a variety of categories including Innovative Achievement in Sustainability, Most Innovative Mentor of the Year, Most Innovative Creative Person of the Year, Award for Excellence in Innovation in Business Product & Service Industries - Organizations with 100 or More Employees, Achievement in Product Innovation, and Innovative Achievement in Science or Technology, among others. The Saudi Aramco Office Services Department provides and manages office space with high-quality services for Type "A" office buildings in a safe, efficient, reliable and cost-effective manner. To ensure a positive work environment for all office users, driven by a competent, customer-friendly workforce, utilizing the most appropriate technology.

Maggie Miller, President of the Stevie Awards, commented that this year’s awards gala witnessed an unprecedented turnout. Tickets for the ceremony sold out within days of announcing the event date, gathering together more than 300 guests from all around the MENA region. The award attendees included dignitaries, industry leaders, officials, company owners, chairmen, boards of directors of government and private organizations, and executive directors— all pleased to be honored on stage.

The following organizations participated in the ceremony. Only winning organizations that attended the ceremony were recognized:

Abdul Latif Jameel
Abu Dhabi Customs, Building and Maintenance Section
Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council
Abu Dhabi Sports Council
Acceligize
Ajman Transport Authority
Al Dhafra Region Municipality
Al Ghurair Investment
Almarai Company
AXS - TECOM Group
Azentio Software
Bagcilar Municipality
Big Data Minds MENA
Blacklion IT Marketing Agency
Capital 360 Event Experiences
Commercial Bank International
DAMAC Properties
Deputy of Legal Affairs and Regulations of Ministry of Culture, Saudi Arabia
DHL Express UAE
Dsquares
Dubai Courts - Case Preparation Department
Dubai Land Department
Ekol Logistics
Elaf Al TaqwaHotel - Elaf Hotel Company
EZONE Business Setup
Federal Authority for Government Human Resources, United Arab Emirates
INFLOW Network
Invita Company W.L.L.
KAFALAH Loan Guarantee Program
Masafi Hospital
Megamind IT Solutions
Melodica Music Academy
MEPCO
Ministry of HR and Social Development, Saudi Arabia
Ministry of Justice, United Arab Emirates
Mobile Communications Company of Iran
Now Health International
Numesys İleri Mühendislik
Parkville Pharmaceuticals
Petromin Express
Public Prosecution of Dubai
Public Works Authority, Qatar
Qatar Vision Production Company - Qvision
RAK Ceramics
RAK Digital Assets Oasis
RAK POLICE General Headquarters
RAKEZ - Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone
Riyadh Airports Company
Roads and Transport Authority
Royal Commission for Jubail & Yanbu
Ruwad – Sharjah SME
Sakan Foundation
Saudi Aramco
Saudi Aramco - Northern Area Production Engineering Department
Saudi Aramco - Office Services Department
SOCAR Turkiye
SOCAR Türkiye Enerji AŞ
Society of Autism Families
stc - Saudi Telecom Company
Streit Group FZ LLC
Tata Consultancy Services (TCS)
The Academy for Developing Administrative Leaders
The General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs, United Arab Emirates
The Institute of Consulting and Business Solutions
The Ministry of Interior, Bahrain
ZIGMA8 | 360º CREATIVE COMMUNICATIONS 

See the full list of 2024 Middle East & North Africa Stevie Winners by category

View and download photos from the awards ceremony.

Individual Acceptance speeches and red-carpet interviews are available on the Stevie Awards YouTube channel.

About the 2024 Middle East & North Africa Stevie Awards
The 2024 Middle East & North Africa Stevie Awards sponsored by the RAK Chamber of Commerce & Industry have recognized winning organizations in 13 nations: Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates. More than 1,000 nominations in Arabic and English were evaluated in this year’s competition. Winners were determined by the average scores of more than 150 professionals worldwide, acting as judges in more than 150 categories recognizing apps, achievements, companies, public relations, customer service, human resources, individuals, live and virtual events, management, social media, technology, thought leadership, and more.

The 6th edition of the MENA Stevie Awards will open for entries in September 2024. Sign up here to request the 2025 entry kit when it becomes available.

A sellout crowd of more than 270 Stevie Award winners, their guests, sponsors, and judges will attend the 5th annual Middle East & North Africa Stevie® Awards this Saturday evening, March 2 in Ras Al Khaiman, the United Arab Emirates.  Sponsored by the RAK Chamber of Commerce & Industry, the MENA Stevies are the region's only awards recognizing innovation in the workplace throughout 18 nations in the region.

Gold, Silver, and Bronze Stevie winners in the 2024 program were announced in January.  Earlier this month two Grand ("best of show") Stevie winners were announced, and a third will be revealed at the end of Saturday's proceedings.  The presentations will be broadcast live from 8:00 pm / 20:00 UAE standard time.

Here is the list of organizations that will be represented at Saturday's event.

Abdul Latif Jameel
Abu Dhabi Customs, Building and Maintenance Section
Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council
Abu Dhabi Sports Council
Acceligize
Ajman Transport Authority
Al Dhafra Region Municipality
Al Ghurair Investment
Almarai Company
AXS - TECOM Group
Azentio Software
Bagcilar Municipality
Big Data Minds MENA
Blacklion IT Marketing Agency
Capital 360 Event Experiences
Commercial Bank International
DAMAC Properties
Deputy of Legal Affairs and Regulations of Ministry of Culture, Saudi Arabia
DHL Express UAE
Dsquares
Dubai Courts - Case Preparation Department
Dubai Land Department
Ekol Logistics
Elaf Al TaqwaHotel - Elaf Hotel Company
EZONE Business Setup
Federal Authority for Government Human Resources, United Arab Emirates
INFLOW Network
Invita Company W.L.L.
KAFALAH Loan Guarantee Program
Masafi Hospital
Megamind IT Solutions
Melodica Music Academy
MEPCO
Ministry of HR and Social Development, Saudi Arabia
Ministry of Justice, United Arab Emirates
Mobile Communications Company of Iran
Now Health International
Numesys İleri Mühendislik
Parkville Pharmaceuticals
Petromin Express
Public Prosecution of Dubai
Public Works Authority, Qatar
Qatar Vision Production Company - Qvision
RAK Ceramics
RAK Digital Assets Oasis
RAK POLICE General Headquarters
RAKEZ - Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone
Riyadh Airports Company
Roads and Transport Authority
Royal Commission for Jubail & Yanbu
Ruwad – Sharjah SME
Sakan Foundation
Saudi Aramco
Saudi Aramco - Northern Area Production Engineering Department
Saudi Aramco - Office Services Department
SOCAR Turkiye
SOCAR Türkiye Enerji AŞ
Society of Autism Families
stc - Saudi Telecom Company
Streit Group FZ LLC
Tata Consultancy Services (TCS)
The Academy for Developing Administrative Leaders
The General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs, United Arab Emirates
The Institute of Consulting and Business Solutions
The Ministry of Interior, Bahrain
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Entries for the 2025 edition of the Middle East & North Africa Stevie Awards will be accepted starting this September.  Learn more at https://MENA.StevieAwards.com. 

The Stevie® Awards are delighted to announce the six distinguished professionals who chaired the judging committees of the 2024 (5th annual) Middle East & North Africa Stevie® Awards competition.

The Middle East & North Africa Stevie® Awards, sponsored by the Ras Al Khaimah Chamber of Commerce & Industry, are an international business awards competition that are open to all organizations in 18 nations in the Middle East and North Africa.  The focus of the awards is on recognizing innovation in all its forms.  

This year more than 1,000 nominations were considered in the judging process by more than 150 professionals, whose average ratings determined the Gold, Silver, and Bronze Stevie Award winners announced earlier in January. For a complete list of the 2024 Stevie Award winners, visit https://MENA.StevieAwards.com.

Stevie winners will be presented their awards at a gala banquet at the Mövenpick Resort Al Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates on Saturday, 2 March.

The six committee chairs were invited to chair based on their professional experience and expertise. Judging chairs helped to form their committees, each of which is comprised of other professionals from around the globe. Learn more about the Stevie Awards judging process here. 

Meet this year's judging committee chairs:

Company/Organization & Achievement Awards Judging Committee

Chair: Dr. Zaher Ali Al-Sai, CEO, Big Data Minds MENA, Amman, Jordan

Dr. Zaher Ali Al-Sai is serving as the CEO of Big Data Minds MENA, a pioneering initiative aimed at bridging the digital skills gap within the realms of Big Data and emerging technologies.  As an expert and assistant professor specializing in Big Data and Software Engineering, Dr. Zaher is renowned as a visionary leader, celebrated for her dynamic approach to technology and her dedication to nurturing the talents of individuals aspiring to excel in the digital landscape. Her leadership at Big Data Minds MENA has significantly contributed to empowering professionals, youth, and women, fostering digital transformation across diverse sectors.

Dr. Al-Sai has been recognized with several prestigious accolades, including the 2023 Gold Stevie Award for Big Data Minds MENA. Additionally, she has been honored with two distinguished Bronze Stevie Awards in The 2023 International Business. 

Driven by an unwavering commitment to innovation, education, and empowering others, Dr. Zaher continues to spearhead technological advancements, creating opportunities for the aspiring minds of tomorrow.

Corporate Communications/Public Relations & Publications Awards Judging Committee

Chair: Leonie Matta, CEO & Founder of Digital Coach MENA, Niscemi, Sicily, Italy

 

Leonie Matta, CEO and Founder of Digital Coach MENA, is a passionate digital entrepreneur and marketing and business coach with over three decades of experience. She is committed to helping professionals and SMEs succeed in the digital age while prioritizing their well-being.

Leonie is an expert in leveraging digital technologies to drive exponential growth and profitability for her clients. She is also a certified Project Manager and Change Intelligence practitioner, which enables her to help her clients manage complex projects and lead change within their organizations. Leonie is fluent in English, Arabic, Italian, and French, which allows her to communicate effectively with clients and partners from all over the world.

On being invited to be this year’s Chair, Leonie told us, “The Stevie Awards are the world’s most prestigious awards for business development and professionals. They recognize the outstanding achievements of organizations and individuals who are raising the bar for excellence in corporate communications and public relations.”

Human Resources & Individual Awards Judging Committee

Chair: Kifaya Abu-Thallam, HR Executive Advisor – HR Transformation & Organization Design, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

 

 

 

Kifaya Abu-Thallam is a trusted Executive HR Advisor to business leaders and boards of directors in HR Transformation & Organization Design in the United Arab Emirates. With 20+ years of experience in government, semi-government and private sectors, she has served in some of the most significant industries including defense, telecommunications, banking, energy, and infrastructure development.

Kifaya is accredited by many recognized international Human Resources organizations such as the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development in the United Kingdom, a certified member of the Australian Human Resources Institute, CPHR Canada, a Certified Organization Development Professional (USA), and CINS.

Kifaya has focused experience in designing HR models that drive organizational and employee performance through digital transformation, building effective HR strategies, workforce capabilities building programs, human-centric organizational cultures (employees’ happiness, D&I strategies), and Agile performance management systems. Kifaya is also a regular speaker and moderator at HR Summits locally and internationally.

 

 

Management, Customer Service & Thought Leadership Awards Judging Committee

 

Chair: Dr. Kamal Eldin Salih, Managing Director of Suretrack Management Consultancy, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

 

 

Dr. Kamal Salih is the Managing Director of Suretrack Management Consultancy, a Dubai-based management consultancy firm specializing in Business Excellence, Quality, Strategy, and Performance Improvement services. Dr. Salih is an expert and qualified practitioner in Quality Engineering & Management, Business Excellence Models, Performance Improvement, International Standards of Management Systems (ISO), Strategic Planning, Business Process Reengineering, Organizational Development, and Enterprise Risk Management, and has 30+ years of experience.

He has held top and senior-level positions in charge of businesses and operations of Governmental, International, and Corporate organizations in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Sudan. Recent positions included Senior Vice President/Strategy & Support Services, and Vice President/Performance, Quality & Risk for ETISALAT Group in the UAE. He has executed assignments around the world in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.

Between 1972 and 1993, Dr. Salih received a PhD in Quality Systems in the USA, a master’s degree in quality engineering in the UK, and a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering in Egypt.  In addition, he holds international memberships and professional qualifications from leading Business Schools and International Bodies. He is a Certified Team Leader in assessing submissions for the Excellence Awards in UAE, the Middle East, and globally, including the Sheikh Khalifa Excellence Award, Dubai Quality Award, Egypt Government Excellence Award, Sheikh Saqr Government Excellence Program, Ideas Arabia Award, and Emirates Ideas Award.

 

 

Marketing, Media (Apps/Events/Video/Websites) & Social Media Awards Judging Committee

 

Chair: Dr. Mahmoud Mansi, Founder & Chairperson, Influencers Today Magazine, Alexandria, Saba Pasha, Egypt

 

 

 

Dr. Mahmoud Mansi (DBA|CIPD Level 7) is the Founder of four digital magazines: Influencers Today Magazine (the first Influencers’ magazine globally), HR Revolution Middle East Magazine, NGOs Today Magazine, and recently Women of Saudi Arabia, in addition to being an ambitious Business Innovator with a 360° experience in management consulting, auditing, research and education, and a Faculty Instructor at the Human Capital Institute.  Dr. Mahmoud is passionate about communicating new ideas and solutions to the community in various ways including writing, public speaking, and media. That’s why he is the author of 9 books, and a writer at Harvard Business Review, Stanford for Social Innovation, Fortune Arabia, and MIT Technology Review. In 2023 he participated in writing the “Entrepreneur’s Journey,” a book by the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development. As a global public speaker, he has traveled and spoken at many conferences - including FIREX, SHRM TECH, HRSE, ATD ME, and NIES - in Nigeria, Egypt, UAE, India, KSA, Italy, Spain, Sudan, and the UK. Additionally, he has achieved a record by speaking 8 times at TEDx. Due to his expertise as a Judge at global business and sustainability awards, he has been featured on several blogs giving tips regarding judging and competing:  The Stevie Awards Blog, Brilliance Awards Blog & GULF Sustainability Awards Blog.

Throughout his diverse career journey, he has received awards from different entities. Earlier in 2023 he was awarded by the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) in USA, funded and organized by the  US Department of State. In 2022, he was shortlisted as one of the top 5 CHROs in the Middle East at the Future Workplace Awards in Dubai. He has also received awards for his creative writing achievements: in 2010 he was one of the winners of Sea of Words Literary Award organized by the Anna Lindh Foundation with his short story “The Island”, and in 2012 he was selected to participate in the World Event Young Artists (WEYA) Festival in the UK with his short story “Revolution of Pirates”. As a Marketing & Branding innovator, Dr. Mahmoud has recently been working on delivering three new major solutions related to creating “in-house influencers”: (1) converting customers to advocates; (2) developing and promoting employees to become company social media influencers and brand ambassadors; (3) developing both employees and customers to volunteer in the organization’s corporate social responsibility and philanthropy initiatives.

On being invited to be a Chair, Dr. Mahmoud told us, “I have been judging for The Stevie Awards since 2019, and the effort and time I put into judging with each round impacts my experience, knowledge, and ambition. Yes, I get inspired by all the positivity and success stories, that contribute not only to my professional life, but to my passion as a human being. It is delightful to witness the continuous evolution of our limitless human race.”

 

 

New Product & Technology Awards Judging Committee

 

Chair: Balagopal Ramdurai, Vice President – Products & Technology, Vectramind Corporation, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

 

Balagopal Ramdurai is a digital innovator and product creator with over 15 years of management experience in building innovative digital products for FinTech, Health Tech, and Retail industries. Mr. Ramdurai has been instrumental in creating award-winning industry products covering Digital Banking platforms and payments, and to currently spearheading customer experience platforms for the Healthcare industry.

Mr. Ramdurai has been working as Vice President – Products & Technology with Vectramind Corporation, a technology company headquartered in Dubai, UAE, since 2019. He has been on the judging panels of various awards committees, including the Stevie Awards, for the past few years, and has also been a mentor to Tech startups across the globe.

With a keen interest in emerging technologies, Mr. Ramdurai has been a speaker at various technology conferences and has published research articles on the benefits of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Healthcare.